Never Surrender // TFATWS

24

Bucky made his way back to Brooklyn, New York, rejoining Mirna and Nicola.

Mirna glanced at Bucky. "Are you ready?"

He shook his head. "No, but Sam was right."

"Nicola and I'll be right here waiting."

Bucky nodded, then walked up to Yori's front door and knocked on the door.

Yori opened the door and asked, "Hey, what are you three doing here? It's late, come in before someone call the cops." Bucky entered and Yori closed the door behind them. "What are you doing here? It's not Wednesday. Shouldn't Nicola be in bed?"

Bucky replied, "I, uh, I have to tell you something. About your son." He sat, pulled off his glove to reveal his Vibranium hand. Yori sat as well. "He was murdered."

"What?"

"By the Winter Soldier." His voice shook as he whispered, "And that was me."

"Why?"

Bucky inhaled before replying softly, "I didn't have a choice."

He left the apartment.

Mirna walked up to Bucky and placed a hand on his cheek. "I am so proud of you, James."

Bucky met her eyes and his expression turned to one of guilt. He fell into her arms and Mirna held him tightly as she listened to his soft cries. She pulled him closer and ran a hand through his hair, making sure to be careful of Nicola.

After a moment, Bucky said, "Thank you, Mir."

Mirna continued holding him and said softly, "I love you, James."

"I love you too, Mirna." He placed a gentle hand on Nicola's head. "And you, sweet girl."

"And another?"

He pulled away with a frown. "What do you mean?"

"Nicola's getting a sibling."

"You're- Mir, that's great!"

Mirna smiled and nodded. "Yeah, it is."

The next day, after dropping off a gift bag and card for Dr. Raynor, Bucky and Mirna, holding Nicola's hand, who had an arm linked around Bucky's left arm, walked the streets of Brooklyn.

They passed Izzy's and Bucky and Mirna looked in the window to see Yori sitting at the bar. Nicola caught Leah's eye and smiled and wildly waved.

Mirna smiled at Nicola, then glanced at Bucky and asked, "Do you want to go in?"

Bucky stared at Yori and slowly shook his head. He took Mirna's hand, squeezing it gently.

---

Sam made his way to Baltimore to make a visit.

He walked down a familiar street in Baltimore and up to a front door. He knocked on the metal screen door of Isaiah's home.

Eli opened the door and asked, "What do you want, Black Falcon?"

"Hey, you need to learn some manners," Sam told him.

"He ain't a Falcon anymore, but he's still black," Isaiah said, motioning for Sam to follow. Sam sat in the garden as Isaiah tended to his plants. "I saw what you did out there. And it seems, so did everyone else. I heard the GRC was standing down on those plans of theirs, so you must have done something right. I ain't gonna lie. You're special."

"Thank you."

"I mean, you ain't no Malcolm, Martin, Mandela, but..."

"No argument there." Sam chuckled with a nod. "But I know what I've gotta do."

"So, a Black Captain America, huh?"

"Damn right."

He chuckled lightly. "The fight you taking on ain't gonna be easy, Sam."

"Yeah, I might fall. Shit, I might die. But... We built this country. Bled for it. I'm not gonna let anybody tell me I can't fight for it. Not after what everybody before me went through. Including you."

Isaiah's voice shook as his expression softened. "Shit. I almost bought that."

"Man, do you ever lighten up?"

"Nope," Eli replied, standing on the back porch. "Mm-mmm."

Sam chuckled and gently hit Isaiah's shoulder. "Hey, why don't you clean up. There's, um... somethin' I wanna show you."

Isaiah glanced at Sam and made his way inside.

Eli leaned over the railing and asked, "So, uh, where we going?"

Sam shook his head, keeping his plan a surprise.

As soon as the two were ready, they made their way to the Smithsonian exhibit.

---

Isaiah and Eli remained quiet as they strolled through the exhibit.

Sam led them to another room where he'd had them place a statue of Isaiah and the history of what he'd done for the country. Isaiah and Eli looked around while Sam stood back and waited.

After a moment, Isaiah walked up to Sam who nodded and said, "Now they'll never forget what you did for this country." The two shook hands. "Never." Isaiah hugged Sam tightly and Sam smiled.

---

Bucky, Nicola and Mirna made their way to Sam's. Bucky held a cake and the kids ran up to him and pretended to fight him. Bucky ducked with a smile. Mirna glanced at Bucky and smiled, happy to see him in such a good mood. She placed a hand on her still flat abdomen with a soft smile. Nicola ran to find AJ and Cass.

"Oh! There they are!" a man said.

As Bucky and Mirna walked up, they asked, "Where is everybody?"

Sam hugged Bucky, then Mirna. Nicola ran up to him, hugged him, then ran off.

They enjoyed an afternoon of food, drink, and conversation. Mirna kept glancing at Bucky, happy to see a wide smile on his face. He returned her smile with a soft expression.

Bucky and Mirna spoke with Sarah and the kids hung on Bucky's Vibranium arm, which he no longer had covered.

Sam, Bucky and Mirna stood on the dock, watching the sunset. After a moment, they walked back to the others. Sam placed an arm around Bucky's shoulders and Bucky took Mirna's hand. Nicola ran up and held her hands up to her father, who picked her up.

Bucky glanced at Mirna and asked, "What are you thinking, doll?"

Mirna smiled. "Nothing really. I'm just pleased to see you so happy."

"I owe a lot of that to you and Nicola. And to the baby we'll soon meet."

"Yeah. Did you ever think we would be here again? Spending time with Sam and his family?"

"Being here yet again surprised me, but I would trade it for the world." He pulled her close and kissed her. "I love you, Mir."

Mirna wrapped her arms around Bucky's neck. "I love you too, James."

"And me?" Nicola asked.

Bucky squeezed her gently and smiled. "Mama and I love you too, Nicola."

"And the baby?"

"Definitely."

Mirna kissed her head. "Daddy's right. We love you so, so much."

Sam smiled. "The three of you are sweet. Congrats on the baby. Come on. Let's join the others."

Bucky took Mirna's hand with his free one as they followed Sam.